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TCU spoils Texas Tech's CWS debut with 3-2 victory

AP
7:34 p.m. EDT June 15, 2014

TCU Horned Frogs runner Cody Jones (1) gestures after scoring the winning run against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during game three of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. TCU won 3-2.(Photo: Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — TCU showed again that it knows how to win close games.

The Horned Frogs beat Big 12 rival Texas Tech 3-2 in the College World Series on Sunday for their fifth win in six one-run games in the NCAA tournament.

This time Boomer White drove in the go-ahead run against Tech closer Jonny Drozd in the bottom of the eighth inning after TCU had fallen behind in the top half.

"That's the kind of baseball we've played all year," TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle said. "I'm not telling you I'm comfortable with it, but these guys are. They don't panic a bit. It's just, hey, let's put together some good at-bats and see what happens. I just try to stay out of the way."

TCU (48-16), the No. 7 national seed, advanced to a game Tuesday against the winner between Virginia and Mississippi on Sunday night. Texas Tech (45-20), in the CWS for the first time, will play the Virginia-Ole Miss loser in the afternoon.

"It's a tough, tough way to lose your first game up here," Red Raiders coach Tim Tadlock said. "At the same time, we won't look back, and we'll get ready to go on Tuesday."

Big 12 pitcher of the year Preston Morrison made TCU's 1-0 lead hold up until the eighth inning, striking out a career-high 10 and allowing five singles. Schlossnagle called on closer Riley Ferrell (3-1) after Morrison gave up a sharply hit single to Stephen Smith. Anthony Lyons followed with a pinch-hit single, and Tyler Neslony tripled to the right-field wall for a 2-1 lead.

"I knew once we got a couple runs... I mean, we have the utmost confidence ever in Jonny," Neslony said. "So it gave us a little momentum, but that's about it."

Drozd took over for starter Chris Sadberry to start the eighth. Keaton Jones scored from second when second baseman Alec Humphreys, who had just entered the game, overthrew first after stopping Cody Jones' grounder up the middle. Jones went to second on the play and came home on White's two-out base hit to left.

"I knew if I could get it out of the infield, Cody was going to score," White said. "He threw it up there, and I stayed on it just enough to get a good piece of it."

The Red Raiders threatened in the ninth on Tim Proudfoot's infield single and an error that allowed Hunter Redman to reach with two out. The game ended when Todd Ritchie grounded out.

TCU beat Texas Tech for the third time in five meetings this season and improved to 9-4 in one-run games. Six of them have come since May 30.

The Frogs opened regionals with a 2-1, 11-inning win over Siena and then needed 22 innings to beat Sam Houston State 3-2. All three of their super-regional games against Pepperdine were decided by a single run.

TCU scored on White's sacrifice fly in the first inning against the Red Raiders, and then the duel was on between Morrison and Sadberry. Sadberry gave up three hits, walked two and struck out five before giving way to Drodz.

The Frogs came in with the nation's best ERA (2.19), and their bullpen came into the game having allowed two runs in 28 1-3 innings.

Schlossnagle was asked if he believed prevailing in all these close games means his team could be one of destiny.

"That's hard to say," he said. "Teams with really good starting pitching and a good closer can win baseball games. If that's destiny, I'll take it. If you get hot and you play the best, then you can be the national champion."

Fans wait out a rain delay during game twelve of the 2014 College World Series between the Mississippi Rebels and the Virginia Cavaliers at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi Rebels pitcher Jeremy Massie (35) uses his finger to write on the mound in the game against the Virginia Cavaliers during game twelve of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. G
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores outfielder Bryan Reynolds (20) grabs a foul ball in front of some fans against the Texas Longhorns during game eleven of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Texas defeated Vanderbilt 4-0.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

Texas Longhorns outfielder Collin Shaw (4) dives for a short fly ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during game eleven of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Texas defeated Vanderbilt 4-0.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

TCU Horned Frogs pitcher Jordan Kipper (27) delivers a pitch against the Mississippi Rebels during game ten of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

Texas Longhorns runner C.J. Hinojosa (9) celebrates with right fielder Collin Shaw (4) after Hinojosa hit a home run against the UC Irvine Anteaters during game nine of the 2014 College World Series.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports

Texas Longhorns outfielder Ben Johnson (14) reacts to being called out for missing first base against the UC Irvine Anteaters during game nine of the 2014 College World Series.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Cavaliers runner Branden Cogswell (7) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a run against the TCU Horned Frogs during game eight of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports

TCU Horned Frogs infielder Garrett Crain (34) avoids Virginia Cavaliers outfielder Mike Papi (38) to complete a double play in the first inning during game eight of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Cavaliers pitcher Brandon Waddell (20) pitches in the first inning against the TCU Horned Frogs during game eight of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Tech Red Raiders bench celebrates during a ninth inning rally against the Mississippi Rebels during game seven of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Spor

Mississippi Rebels runner Sikes Orvis (24) celebrates after scoring a run against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during game seven of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi Rebels infielder Sikes Orvis (24) scores the first run of the game in the seventh inning against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during game seven of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi Rebels runner Auston Bousfield (9) slides safely into second base as Texas Tech Red Raiders shortstop Tim Proudfoot (1) was late with the tag during game seven of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores runner Bryan Reynolds (20) scores a run against the UC Irvine Anteaters catcher Jerry McClanahan (11) during game six of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores pitcher Tyler Beede (11) talks to catcher Jason Delay (5) in the game against the UC Irvine Anteaters during game six of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt's Vince Conde (3) can't beat the throw to first base against UC Irvine first baseman Connor Spencer (33) in the fifth inning of an NCAA baseball College World Series game in Omaha, Neb., Monday, June 16, 2014.
Eric Francis, AP

Texas Longhorns outfielder Ben Johnson (14) slides back into first base ahead of the tag from Louisville Cardinals infielder Grant Kay (7) during game five of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Cavaliers bench rushes the field as the winning run scores against the Mississippi Rebels during game four of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Virginia defeated Mississippi 2-1.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi Rebels players congratulate pitcher Chris Ellis (10) as he leaves the game against the Virginia Cavaliers during game four of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Virginia won 2-1. Mandatory Credit:Mississippi Rebels players congratulate pitcher Chris Ellis (10) as he leaves the game against the Virginia Cavaliers during game four of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Virginia won 2-1.
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Cavaliers pitcher Artie Lewicki (34) throws against the Mississippi Rebels during game four of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Virginia won 2-1.
Bruce Thorson, USA TODAY Sports

The TCU Horned Frogs outfielders celebrate the victory over the Texas Tech Red Raiders after game three of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. TCU defeated Texas Tech 3-2.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Tech Red Raiders bench watches the last outs against the TCU Horned Frogs during game three of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. TCU defeated Texas Tech 3-2.
Steven Branscombe, USA TODAY Sports

The UC Irvine dugout waits for Taylor Sparks (25) after he scored the go-ahead run on teammate Chris Rabago's single to give them a 2-1 lead over Texas in the eighth inning of an NCAA baseball College World Series baseball game in Omaha, Neb. UC Irvine won 3-1.
AP